New "code of conduct" for theatre-goers reveals people are happy to dress
casually, check their mobile phones and even take photographs during
performances.

An evening at the theatre was once considered the epitome of refinement, but it appears a new drive for younger audiences has ushered in an era of more casual standards.

A survey, published today, has revealed a new “code of conduct” deemed acceptable by modern audiences, with visitors confessing to checking their phones taking photographs on stage, and even tweeting.

The study, conducted by Ticketmaster and called State of Play: Theatre UK, takes into account the views of around 1,500 people, found three-quarters of theatre-goers have recently dressed casually for performances.

Four out of every five people admitted to whispering during plays or musicals, while 21 per cent had taken photographs during a live show.

A third claimed they had checked their phone during shows, with one in ten arguing it is acceptable to tweet or use social media at live events.

A further 26 per cent had walked out of a show, despite only one in eight believing it is really acceptable.

The change in modern manners, which experts note has developed over more than ten years, is believed to be the result of a drive to encourage younger people to come to the theatre.

Audience members aged between 25 and 34 confessed to being “most guilty” of checking their phones, and were found to be twice as likely to find it acceptable.

Around half of those aged 16 to 19 tweet about a performance they see, with two thirds going away to read the script or synopsis to understand the show only after it has finished.

The result reflects a trend in modern theatre of encouraging younger audiences, with companies allowing “comfortable” dress and selling vastly discounted tickets.

The English National Opera last year introduced the “Opera Undressed” series, inviting new audiences to wear jeans to selected shows, while many now go to see West End shows in their daywear.

Mobile phone usage also appears to be increasing, with more people carrying devices and feeling the need to check them during a performance.

In 2011, Kevin Spacey lambasted an audience member in character as Richard III after hearing a mobile phone ringing. The late Richard Griffiths is known to have twice ordered a member of the public out of the theatre mid-performance, after they committed the same sin.

Alistair Smith, deputy editor of The Stage, said he believed the changing notion of what was considered acceptable at the theatre was an “unintended consequence” of the drive for broader audiences.

“I think that for quite a long time, probably at least a decade, it’s been gradually getting less formal,” he said.

“Instead of a narrow demographic, you are getting people from a wider range and all walks of life which is undoubtedly a good thing.

But I think it maybe brought with it the unintended consequences of people not knowing the old rules.”

When asked whether anything from a traditional code of conduct should be considered sacred, he said: “Anything that is distracting should be an absolute no-no. So anything potentially off-putting, such as taking photographs during a Shakespearian soliloquy, is unacceptable in my opinion.”

A spokeswoman for the English National Opera said it was “absolutely fine” for people to come in formal dress or otherwise, as long as they were considerate towards other audience members and performers.

She added the dilemma was “exactly why” the company introduced their Opera Undressed series, “so people who’ve never been to the opera can come along, enjoy a pre show talk, a performance and a post show party – and see how relaxed a night at the opera really is.”